Hemigenia scabra explained

Hemigenia scabra is an open, sprawling shrub with white flowers, hairy stems and foliage and is endemic to Western Australia.

Description

Hemigenia scabra is an open, wiry, small shrub high. The stems in cross section may be more or less round or square and bracteoles long. The leaves long, wide, arranged opposite, rounded or squared at the apex and the margins smooth. Both stems and foliage have rough to smooth soft hairs or short coarse hairs. The bracteoles long, flowers sometimes with a pedicel long and simple hairs. The 5 calyces are long with occasional simple hairs. The flower petals may be white, cream or shades of purple, long, spot or stripes in the throat and 4 stamens. Flowering occurs from August to October.[1]

Taxonomy and naming

The species was first formally described in 1870 by George Bentham and the description was published in Flora Australiensis.[2] [3] The specific epithet (scabra) is derived from the Latin scaber meaning "rough", referring to the leaves and stems.[4]

Distribution and habitat

Hemigenia scabra is found growing in the Avon wheatbelt, Geraldton and the Shire of Yalgoo on and near sandplains in gravelly white or yellow sands.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hemigenia scabra . FloraBase-flora of Western Australia . Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions . 24 March 2020.
  2. Web site: Hemigenia scabra . Australian Plant Name Index . 23 March 2020.
  3. Book: Flora Australiensis . Biodiversity Heritage Library . 1870 . 5 . 23 March 2020.
  4. Book: Francis Aubie Sharr. Western Australian Plant Names and their Meanings . 2019 . Four Gables Press . Kardinya, Western Australia . 9780958034180 . 301.